Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, right, shares a moment with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after their game last November at the Champions Classic.AP Photo

ATLANTA -- ESPN The Magazine asked 87 college basketball players to name the best coach in the country, and according to this week's issue, Michigan State's Tom Izzo received the third-most votes in the poll.

The two coaches ahead of Izzo were Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Kentucky's John Calipari, who also participated in the Champions Classic on Tuesday.

Izzo received 4.8 percent of the votes compared to 45.8 percent for Krzyzewski and 16.9 percent from Calipari, who both have battled for recruits with Michigan State this year.

When the poll was conducted in 2010, Krzyzewski finished first, Izzo second, and Calipari third. Calipari has since won a national championship.

Michigan State is scheduled to play Kentucky next Nov. 12 at the United Center in Chicago as part of the final year of the Champions Classic series.